Apple Cider Vinegar: ACV

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) for chickens has had some very good press over the last ten years. There has been lots of research done where ACV has been added to one group of chicken’s water and the compared against the other ‘control’ group.

Cider Vinegar for chickens is acidic and it is this acidity that means ACV is a mild anticeptic and will kill a number of germs. In addition to this, it is claimed to act like a mild antibiotic. Antibiotics kill infectious bacteria that can cause disease in chickens.

In addition to these benefits, Apple Cider Vinegar is full of vitamins, minerals and trace elements that are beneficial to your chickens but you do have to be careful where you buy ACV from – don’t go rushing off to Tesco just yet!

5 litre Apple Cider Vinegar

Click Image to Buy on Amazon

Apple Cider Vinegar has been proven to help chickens with stress which is one of the main contributors to their immune system lowering and letting in disease. I use ACV during the following times:

  • Moving house
  • Introducing new birds
  • If snow falls on the ground (a stressful change in environment for chickens)
  • After a fright – eg fox attack
  • After injury
  • Once per month for a week for the health benefits

You can buy ACV from Amazon

Dillution Rate of Apple Cider Vinegar

ACV should be dilluted at a rate of 2% in fresh drinking water. This is the same as saying 20ml in every litre. Make sure you are using plastic water containers because it is acidic and will corrode galvanised containers. The normal rate at which to give to chickens in order to be beneficial is for one week per month. If you choose the first week of every month, it will be easier to remember. Chicks and growers can be given 0.5% ACV in water or 5ml per litre.

Do you have any information on Apple Cider Vinegar? Please leave me a comment below.

115 Comments

  1. Brilliant information, thank you.
    We rescued and rehomed 1200 ex battery girls last year so all info is very helpful to us, thank you.
    One question, we have six ducks too, is cider vinegar ok for them and also powdered garlic in pellets as they eat hens food too ?

    • Yes, ducks can have Cider Vinegar – just make sure that they have water to bath in too as they need to get their eyes wet (they have no tear ducts).

  2. i am a novice , i purched 4 hens on sat 18 august, one died in transit as it was 104 c so hot,, we took it back and got refund ..we only had to travel 10 minutes and i thought her stressed when we got her,, one laid a lovly brown egg yesterday so really settled ,, 2 light sussex one ranger we now call the lone ranger,,as his mate died,,, should i worm and vaccinate [ where we brought said they dont vac…]and what time do we do it they are point of lay..thank you ..we love your helpfull,,page ,,,,jan

    • Most hobby hens aren’t vaccinated and if they are kept free range and in good health, are unlikely to have the diseases you find in commercial production. With a strong immune system, they are usually no problem. I have lost one hen this year to disease out of 90 birds… and 3 last year.

      I would worm after 3 months or if you suspect a worm problem. If the breeder kept the birds on well used ground or with older birds, I’d also consider it.

  3. Hi, I’ve recently got three bantams from a breeder – I dont know how old they are but I can see a hint of a pink comb and wattle coming though. One of them, a Polish bantam has been sneezing for about 4 days every couple of seconds. We have had alot of rain so this might be why. I’ve started adding ACV to their water everyday which I thought might help. Their coop and run are lovely and dry and kept clean. Is this enough and how long do you think she will sneeze for? or do I need to do something else? I’m really worried. Any advice is very much appreciated. Thankyou

    • Respiratory problems are quite common and you may need to see your vet if it gets any worse. Check they are wormed (gapeworm can cause ‘snicking’ and sneezing) but ACV and crushed garlic in the water would be my approach at first. Check the eyes are not foamy / bubbly as this could indicate Mycoplasma Gallisepticum which can be treated (antibiotics from your vet). There is some great information on respiratory diseases for chickens here.

  4. Brill info, i work in a vet practice and having bought my 1st ever 4 hens in June, i am trying to educate my vets into being chicken friendly.

    • That’s great. Chickenvet (AKA St. David’s Poultry Team) have 15 poultry vets and run CPD training courses for vets. They have ‘associated practices’ too. If your vets website has a links section and you’d care to mention our site, I’d be really grateful. It’s very hard to get links when you’re a small ‘chicken’ website like this!

  5. I have just rescued four hens. They are staying with me for a few weeks then going on to a fantastic new home. They are having lots of treats and look very well. I would like to get some Apple Cider Vinegar – is the suermarket stuff ok as I don’t want to bother ordering stuff on line for the short time they are with me. Incidentally, I love them to bits and really enjoying thr company and the eggs !

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